VCSO Reports Crime Rate Continues To Fall

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Daytona Beach, FL - The crime rate in the Volusia Sheriff's Office jurisdiction declined over the first six months of 2019. During the same period, the clearance rate for cases increased by 17.9 percent over the first six months of 2018.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood attributes the numbers to the consistent, proactive police work and follow-up of both sworn and civilian support staff. “What these numbers tell me is that hard work pays off,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “When we’re proactive, when we recognize and get after crime trends early, and when we constantly look for innovative techniques, tools, and technology to solve problems, this is the payoff. We can never sit back and think our work is done, but I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible work our people have done to make these huge strides in fighting crime in our community.”

The number of crimes reported dropped 19.7 percent in the first half of 2019 over the same time period in 2018. Violent crimes fell by 6 percent with the only increase appearing in aggravated assaults, which is up by 5.8 percent. Property crimes dropped by 22.2 percent with the biggest impact a 30.5 percent decrease in 2019 over 2018.

Domestic violence-related cases showed an uptick, increasing by 13.4 percent. VCSO spokesperson Andrew Gant said the increase is mainly attributable to a 14 percent increase in the most common type of domestic incident, simple assault.

The value of stolen items in property crimes decreased by a half-million dollars from the first six months of 2018 to the first six months of 2019. Of the $2.9 million in stolen property, $1.3 million has been recovered.

The crime rate has steadily decreased since 2017, the year Sheriff Chitwood took office. The numbers fell by 7.9 percent from 2017 to 2018. Gant says that Chitwood, in addition to the new accountability- and data-based CompStat program implemented at VSO in 2017, has increased its cooperation with other agencies, added personnel and resources in areas needing attention and made new technology a priority. 

An increase in the number of license plate readers and consumer security cameras in Volusia and surrounding counties has added to the increase in arrests. Gant said that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue the latest tools to take full advantage of advancements in technology.

Even though crime rates have decreased in Volusia County, the Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in two active cases. The information is listed below:

· ATTEMPT TO ID: This person smashed a window to break into a car at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Deltona and later used the victim’s credit card at Walmart: https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaSheriff/posts/2494936400545547

· ATTEMPT TO LOCATE: Joshua Jacobs is wanted on charges of robbery with a firearm, false imprisonment, aggravated assault and aggravated battery in a recent domestic violence incident:  https://www.facebook.com/VolusiaSheriff/photos/a.218725461499997/2494999243872596